The much-awaited third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), will be inaugurated today (October 7) aiming to transform it into a smart airport and aviation hub.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to inaugurate this milestone, themed around the slogan "connecting dreams to reality."
She will preside over the soft opening, which will include the trial run of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from the new terminal.
However, due to heavy rainfall and concern for the welfare of party members, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has postponed the planned rally at Kawla Civil Aviation Field, which will now take place on October 14 (Saturday) at 2:00 PM on the same grounds.
According to authorities, 90 percent of the work on the new terminal has been completed for the soft launch, and airlines will be able to utilize the new parking facilities starting Saturday. The terminal will become fully operational for passengers by the end of the following year, once systems integration and calibration are finalized.
The new terminal will transform the country's image, offering world-class amenities and passenger services. Passengers will undoubtedly appreciate the world-class facilities that were previously unavailable here."
The third terminal will boast 12 boarding gates with double entry bridges, expected to be operational by next year, with an additional 14 boarding bridges to be installed later.
The third terminal project, with a total cost of Taka 21,300 crore, began on December 28, 2019, with the government contributing Taka 5,000 crore, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) providing the remaining funding.
Spanning an impressive 542,000 square meters, the third terminal will offer a floor space of 230,000 square meters, accommodating 115 check-in counters, 66 departure immigration desks, 59 arrival immigration desks, and 3 VIP immigration desks. Upon full operation, the HSIA's annual passenger and cargo handling capacity is expected to triple.
The HSIA's annual passenger handling capacity will increase from eight million to 24 million (including the old terminals), and the airport will be capable of handling 500,000 tonnes of cargo each year.
The construction of 37 new aircraft parking areas and two taxiways connecting to the apron area has already been completed. The third terminal is thoughtfully designed to seamlessly integrate with a multimodal transport system, facilitating easy access for passengers to enter and exit the international airport.
Additionally, a Japanese company, in a public-private partnership, is expected to operate and maintain the third terminal.
Anticipating the full operation of the third terminal, various foreign airlines are eyeing Dhaka Airport as a starting point, which experts believe will play a pivotal role in advancing the country's aviation sector.
BDST: 0841 HRS, OCT 07, 2023
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